Griggs courier., 1887-12-16

scill be your wife, Raymond, and, perhaps,
some day will love you as you. deserve"
The soft hazel eyes, with tears spark.
ling on their long, curved lashes, were
lifted to the handsome, noble face that
bent so tenderly over her.
Az for Raymond Kingsley, he folded her
in his arms with prayer of thankfulness
on his lips as he kissed the sweet face he
loved SO fondly.
She did not love him now, but she would
love him when once she was his wife. He
was too honest and unsuspecting for that.
All he wished was her love; that was the
one bright dream of his life. And some
day he felt sure that dream would be real
lied.
A week later Archie Ashton came home.
and was very soon informed Of Lera's en-
gagement to Raymond Kingsley. He
would not credit such report until he had
heard it from her own lips. Then. and not
till then, would he believe it. She was
sure to be at the ball that evening, and he
would see her there.
The ballroom was brilliant with lights,
and was one bright bower Of fragrance and
beauty.
As Archie Ashton entered, the first per-
son his eyes rested upon was Lera. Lera,
leaning on the arm Of Raymond Kingsley,
looking as beautiful as dream. in dainty
and feecy, with bare white arms and
shoulders. A picture of fair, innocent,
girlish beauty was Lera Grantey, and so
thought Archie Ashton.
He watched his chance, and, as soon as
she was seated, made his way to her side.
At that instant some one spoke to Ray
mond, and when Lera raised her eyes they
encountered the handsome, smiling face of
Archie Ashton.
For moment her heart seemed to stand
still; then the crimson blood rushed to hel
cheeks and she had all she could do to
prevent the tears from filling her eyes.
"Lera Miss Grantlcy-have you one
dance left for me? Am too presuming to
ask for waltz?"
He bent over her in the old familiar way,
and his voice sank to q low thrilling whis-
per.
Lera handed him her card, saying: 81
think the waltzes are all taken. However,
eral unen2aged."
II am fortunate" said Archie Ashton.
zone waltz remains unclaimed-No. 8
Permit me-" Aud he placed his name op.
posite.
Then, as Raymond Kingsley was seer
approaching, he bowed low and left her.
| "She loves mel" he said to himself, q
he made his way leisurely across the ball
room and took his sutton by q window
where he could watch her unseen.
Eyes! she loves me; else why that fusl
on her cheek? And the downcast eye
when spoke to her? Now, that lam tol,
another has won her, find how dear sh
is 70 me. There must be mistake; it cal
not be true! She does not love him.
shall win her yeti" -s-~-
All! that waltz, No. 8. To Lera
was more like a dream than reality
Archie Ashton had taken her around IT,,
crowded ballroom twice without accident
or interruption, or, what she dread d still
more, q whispered word. Then he sud
denly paused and before she could realiz
where they were going, he had led he
through the open door into the diml
lighted conservatory. It was almost de
serted, fragrant with the heavy perfume o
the flowers and delightfully."- cool.
Archie Ashton sought the most remot
corner from the light, where he found asea
for Lera, then clasped both of her hands il
his.
@Lera, hear you are engaged to Ray
mond Kingsley. Is this true?"
=@Quite true, replied Lera. And in spit
Of herself her lips quivered piteously as sh
continued: sAnd t am to congratulate 70,
also, am not, Mr.. Ashton?".
| Me! ,Lera, you are dreaming! Iamen
gagged to no one; love you, my darling